Dogs are carnivores with very specific digestive systems. They need to have ingredients containing animal protein in their daily menu. To the greatest extent it is meat, but it is impossible to imagine a properly composed diet without offal.
A balanced natural diet should provide the right amount of substances and microelements, which are often not found in meat, and not overdo it with them. Thus, an excess of certain vitamins can lead to the formation of kidney and liver stones. Due to the need to maintain balance, it is impossible to replace meat completely with giblets, but they must be added evenly.
Beneficial features
First of all, it is nature’s nature for dogs to consume the entrails of other animals. Wild relatives of domesticated dogs eat their prey completely, without neglecting its internal organs, legs, and skin. All this can be digested and even bring great benefits.
In addition, in the entrails, due to the peculiarities of the functions they perform, much more essential substances accumulate than even in the best meat. They include microelements:
Useful substances that improve metabolism, digestion and hair are Omega 3 and Omega 6.
And the most important part, which can only be replaced with special nutritional supplements – vitamins:
- A.
- Group B.
- TO.
- E.
- Folic acid.
- D is the most important of the entire list. A deficiency will lead to improper formation of the skeleton, rickets and problems with muscles and bones. The body primarily absorbs vitamin D from sunlight, so in winter or when living in the north of the country, it is extremely important to add ingredients to your diet that contain the required amount of this substance.
Also, each by-product has its own special properties that allow solving various problems with the health and appearance of pets without the use of chemical and synthetic additives.
Another advantage of offal is its low calorie content, so it is common practice to use it as a dietary product for overweight problems in pets.
Also, do not forget about the low cost of most offal, which can significantly reduce the cost of keeping a dog without causing serious harm to its body.
The benefits and harms of using by-products
Compared to regular meat (beef, pork), offal contains more nutrients and costs significantly less. By-products are characterized by the following beneficial properties:
- Large amount of animal protein. This component is very important for the normal growth and development of the dog's body.
- Presence of minerals (phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iodine, iron, copper).
- high content of vitamins (A, E, K, B, D, folic acid). No food has such a large amount of vitamin D in its composition. But this component is no less important for the development of the body than protein. Lack of vitamin D leads to rickets, muscular dystrophy, fractures, malignant neoplasms, and decreased immunity. Meat by-products are especially beneficial for those dogs who live in northern regions (there is little sunlight, which leads to vitamin D deficiency).
- Presence of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. These components serve as a source of energy for cells.
- Offal is a dietary product because it contains a small amount of fat and carbohydrates.
By-products cost less than regular meat. This makes keeping a pet less expensive.
Important! Vitamin A prevents cancer, improves metabolism, and supports reproductive function. B12 and folic acid contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous system, brain and blood vessels. Iron is necessary for the formation of red blood cells and oxygen saturation of tissues.
Disadvantages of such products:
- Not all types of offal are suitable for pets. For example, spleen and beef lung are not suitable as food for dogs, even in small quantities. Animals cannot eat them, and some develop allergies in the form of skin rashes (on the cheeks, paws, around the anus), diarrhea and vomiting. If a food allergy occurs, the offal must be excluded from the dog’s menu.
- Giblets cannot be used as a complete replacement for the meat component in a pet’s diet. By-products are a good addition to the main menu, and their share should be no more than 15%. It is enough to give giblets 2 times a week or every day, but in small quantities.
On a note! By-products and meat from animals that were raised on natural feed are much healthier than those obtained from animals that were kept on feed.
The usefulness of offal can hardly be overestimated
Negative reactions
Giblets are not for everyone. Many people, especially those who were overfed in childhood, develop food allergies to one or another product. Most often, a negative reaction applies to only one element, and it is enough to identify it and eliminate it for the pet’s well-being to return to normal.
Allergies usually manifest themselves:
- Digestive problems, externally expressed by diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Skin irritation in sensitive areas: on the ears and face, in the armpits, on the front legs and around the anus.
- Scabies and red spots.
- Hair loss in certain areas.
- Infections that can be caused by improperly processed food.
Acceptable types
Creating a balanced menu for a natural-fed dog is a difficult task, and when introducing tripe, the main thing is not to overdo it. It is impossible to completely replace the meat component of food with tripe without losing the quality of nutrition and without bringing the pet to the dangerous point of an overabundance of various substances, leading to the development of diseases and pathologies of internal organs.
Not all types of tripe are equally useful; some of them will only bring harm. However, the list of good ingredients is quite wide and varied.
Scar
The section of the stomach of herbivores, where the main process of food digestion occurs, is an extremely important element of nutrition for puppies and adult dogs experiencing problems with the digestive system. In addition to the undoubtedly useful vitamins and microelements in fibrous meat, similar in its characteristics to muscles, there are unique bacteria that are ideal for stabilizing and improving the intestinal function of your four-legged friend. That is why the tripe begins to be fed little by little from 5-6 months.
It is important to remember that only the unrefined version will benefit. If the dog refuses to chew the tripe “dirty” because of the specific smell, you can begin to teach it gradually, giving well-washed pieces. It makes no sense to cook, since all the beneficial properties disappear due to the death of bacteria. But if you doubt its safety, you can freeze it for 2 days.
When feeding tripe to pets, a person must follow certain safety precautions, since the bacteria that are beneficial for dogs are very harmful to people. Touch the stomach only with special gloves or wash your hands thoroughly with soap after handling.
Liver
The second most useful and popular organ for dogs is the liver. And this is well deserved. The unique function that the liver performs in the body results in this product being free of toxins yet loaded with vitamin A, which is easily dissolved by fat.
However, liver in large quantities is harmful, as it can cause the formation of stones . In addition, it is considered dietary, which means it is not able to provide the necessary amount of energy for a constant active life.
Veterinarians advise giving beef or poultry liver 1-2 times a week, not more often.
At the same time, liver can be given raw only when purchased from places checked by veterinarians, because it often contains worm larvae. To avoid possible infection, the liver is either frozen or boiled before feeding. Some of the nutritional properties are lost, but the risk of infection is also reduced.
Kidneys
Kidneys help improve the condition of hair and skin, and normalize the functioning of the digestive system. One of the few that can be given raw. The kidney is cut in half, soaked in water and fed.
Heart
The organ consists of powerful muscle tissue, so the heart is often used as a trainer for the jaw muscles and for cleaning plaque from teeth. Also, the positive aspects include the unique composition. This muscle contains enzyme Q10, which slows down aging, and collagen, which is needed for ligaments and joints. Therefore, a heart is necessary for large dogs whose lives involve a lot of physical activity. Feed raw.
Lung
One of the products that has very little benefit. You should avoid adding it to your regular diet. The lungs contain little protein, but there is a lot of connective tissue that is harmful to the digestive system.
If they are introduced into the diet, it is only in combination with other meat elements. But, given that the lung is poorly digested, this is unwise.
Rules for processing and storing the product
Before preparing any dish using beef heart, it is necessary to properly process the product. To do this you will need to do the following:
1. Remove fatty layers from the inside of the organ.
2. Remove blood clots and vessels.
3. Rinse the heart thoroughly in plenty of cool running water.
4. Cut the product into large pieces and soak in cold water for several hours.
5. When soaking, change the water several times.
6. Boil the heart for 1.5-2 hours, remembering to regularly remove the foam.
7. During the cooking process, change the water every half hour.
If you purchase a heart frozen, it can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 year. The cooled offal should be immediately placed in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.
Beef heart is an inexpensive and healthy product that can be consumed both as a main dish and included in various culinary masterpieces.
1. Muscle meat. Traditionally, everything except pork is used to feed dogs and puppies. An excellent dietary product for feeding sucklings is nutria meat. But, any meat, except pork, can, in principle, be used for this if it is of high quality, fresh and finely ground. However, veal is not as rich in its properties as, for example, young beef.
As for feeding adult and young dogs, teenage puppies, I believe that feeding lean pork is possible, and sometimes necessary, if the dog needs to build muscle (substance), has healthy digestion and an active lifestyle (long walks, training , trainings), and even in winter. I emphasize that pork should not have a layer of fat! However, if your dog sleeps for ten hours while waiting for you from work, and if he is also well-fed, then you should not use pork. This type of meat is given, so to speak, according to indications - only if you achieve a specific goal. When offering pork to your dog, be careful and follow these rules:
- do not feed it to the puppy until three or four months of age
- always cook it
- don't feed fatty meat
- teach in small doses, be very careful in this
- When feeding pork, provide your dog with exercise
2. All other types of muscle meat do not require such restrictions.
Naturally, we feed the dog meat, not bones! A good owner's dog eats meat pulp, and the owner cooks soup from bones. Cartilage, the shoulder blade part, which again consists of cartilage, tails - of course, you can offer your pet as a long-lasting delicacy that trains teeth, provides a certain amount of useful substances and distracts from atrocities in the absence of the owner. You can feed meat on the vertebral or neck bones, this is relatively safe if the bones are large enough, your dog does not chew on them greedily, and there is no risk of him swallowing too large a piece. But still, I would be better off excluding meat on the bone treats altogether. Raw muscle meat without any veins, films, or fat is the basis for preparing scrapers for suckling puppies.
The peritoneum is suitable if the fat is removed. Let's get it raw.
3. The spleen is one of the most insidious. In its raw form, it often causes upset. The spleen can play a bad joke, even if you boil it thoroughly!
4. Boiled liver usually does not cause problems. Raw food will most likely lead to disorders. On the market you can often be offered fascioliasis liver at a cheap price. Externally, it differs from normal in the presence of round holes penetrating the liver tissue. If a healthy liver has only a few rather large cord holes of natural origin, then fasciolosis (Fascioliasis is a helminthic disease of cattle) is all dotted with both large and small passages. Large passages have walls made of healed yellow tissue. In general, if there is a mass of any cord passages and holes in the liver, from very small to large, this is the so-called “dog” liver (this is what sellers call diseased livers that are fed to dogs). Fascioliasis is not dangerous for a dog, and nothing bad will happen if you feed your dog such liver, only boiled! It is possible to remove the affected area - more for aesthetic reasons than out of necessity.
5. Beef lips, ears - why not! But not every dog will agree to taste them raw. If you want to cook, feed!
6. Beef heads will have to be boiled. They are hardly a valuable product, but if you are willing to separate the crumbs of meat from small and sharp bones, it is your own choice. The same goes for beef legs. Honestly, if the budget is tight, then this is the solution: you cook a small portion of rice with a lot of hooves, and feed your dog normally.
7. Raw beef tripe is a wonderful thing if you've trained your dog to eat it. There are a lot of enzymes there, this is the most delicacy with which any predator begins its meal in the wild. A wolf that kills a roe deer first eats its stomach with all its contents. This gives it a lot of useful substances and the necessary coarse fiber. but you should not immediately feed a tender, unaccustomed Great Dane with an unwashed stomach containing grass residues. Offer him well rinsed first, then gradually introduce him to unwashed.
8. Tenderloin, tongue - from the realm of delicacies, which the dog, in principle, does not need. This is good meat, but unreasonably expensive in a dog’s diet; it can easily be replaced with good peritoneum, which costs two to three times less. Of course, good meat - tenderloin, beef tongue, lean veal and beef peritoneum, and so on - can and should be given raw.
9. Beef brains are a product that will make your dog full (boiled brains in combination with filler, preferably rice), but is unlikely to provide much useful food.
10. Cow udder is a good option if you are building muscle, training a dog, or preparing an athlete. If the dog has a good gastrointestinal tract, you can train it to give the udder raw. The requirements are the same as for pork, with only one amendment: cooking is not necessary. But, be careful, remove absolutely all the fat from the pulp, which, by the way, is usually quite a lot. Our three to four month old puppies ate with pleasure and digested raw udder well. But it is insidious for puppies at this age - the risk of gaining excess weight is too great, which at this age is dangerous for problems with legs, ligaments and joints.
11. Tracheas are a good treat for a dog, consisting mainly of cartilaginous tissue. Pork - boil, beef and all others can be given raw.
12. Beef kaltyk seems like a good find for feeding a dog: it is cheap, consists almost entirely of soft cartilaginous tissue and meat. But do not give a lot of raw kaltyks at once to a dog that is not accustomed to them. The mucus contained inside very often leads to disorders. Don’t be surprised if, after giving your pet a taste of kaltyk, you end up with digestive upset. Accustom it gradually, cook it a little first.
13. Beef esophagus, kidneys, heart - this is the so-called smooth muscle - raw (more useful) - a completely worthy product.
14. Light - from the category of products that are cheap, of little use, but which can be fed to a hungry dog. If possible, it is better to give preference to healthier beef cuts - those that can be offered raw.
15. Bull, veal, lamb eggs. Let's talk about this type of meat in more detail. The parenchymal tissue that makes up the body of the testicle is delicate and easily digestible; this product can and is beneficial for feeding even the smallest puppies, starting from about a month old. But in order to cook this meat, you need the simplest experience. Cut the skin with a sharp knife and remove it. As a result, you will get a soft interior, somewhat reminiscent of a foam sponge. This fabric is very delicate, easily digested by babies, and most importantly, it contains many valuable substances that babies need at the start of life. If it is difficult for you to clean the raw product, boil it for 20-30 minutes, and then remove the parenchyma with a sharp knife by cutting the shell. But be careful. You should not feed this delicacy to male dogs who do not have brides in the near future - your “Don Juan”, having received a fair portion of stimulating substances contained in abundance in the parenchyma of the testicles, may become overexcited. But for stud dogs this is an excellent source of inspiration. This product will provide puppies and lactating bitches with many necessary and so valuable substances at this moment.
Beef heart is considered a category I by-product. This means that in terms of nutritional values it is not inferior to and even replaces beef meat. The weight of the heart is usually 1.5-2 kg. The color is usually dark brown. When pressed, no dents are left; it instantly restores its previous shape. From this article you will learn about the benefits and harms of beef heart.
How to choose and process beef heart correctly?
Stores sell frozen and chilled beef heart. The most delicious is the heart of a young calf. It cooks faster and is more tender. It is advisable to buy this product chilled, because in this case you can examine it in more detail. Such a heart has a pleasant smell of fresh meat and should not have any stains or plaque on its surface. The structure of beef is very dense, consists of muscle fibers, and therefore requires long and thorough heat treatment.
Preparation includes the following mandatory steps:
- There is a fatty layer in the inner part of the heart that must be removed immediately. It is also necessary to remove all blood vessels and blood clots.
- Rinse the heart thoroughly under running water.
- Cut into large pieces and place in cold water for 2-3 hours to soak.
- Drain the water, put the heart in a saucepan, add fresh water and cook for at least 1.5 hours. Be sure to remove the foam. In this case, you need to change the water every half hour.
- Add bay leaf, onions, salt, pepper and desired spices to the last water.
- You can check the softness of the product with a knife.
Use of beef heart in cooking
The heart can not only be boiled, but also stewed and baked in the oven.
Boiled heart is used to prepare various fillings (for example, for pancakes, kulebyak or pies). Some people prepare delicious pates, goulash, roasts, meatballs from it, and add it to various snacks and salads.
Sauces are prepared from the stewed heart with the addition of vegetables, herbs and roots. It is also perfect for various side dishes: pasta, fried or boiled potatoes, and cereal dishes. Pairs harmoniously with fried onions.
The heart is baked as part of various casseroles, pies and savory sandwiches. For example, put a chopped slice of boiled heart on a piece of bread, spread it with mayonnaise and sprinkle grated cheese on top. Bake in the oven. It turns out to be an excellent snack, much tastier and healthier than any fast food.
Calorie content of beef heart
This product can be safely included in the diet of obese and overweight people, as well as those whose principles include eating only healthy foods. Its calorie content is only 96 kilocalories for every 100 g of weight.
100 g of heart contains:
- proteins ─ 16 g
- fats ─ 3 g
- carbohydrates ─ 3.5 g
- cholesterol ─ 140 mg
- unsaturated fatty acids ─ 0.8 g
- ash substances ─ 1 g
Selection, storage and preparation
Puppies begin to feed certain types of offal at 2-3 months of age, usually udders or chicken necks. However, tripe is added to the main diet no earlier than 5 months, and in very small portions. At such a young age, it is easy to harm the developing digestive system, so any new type is introduced gradually, while all reactions of the body are carefully monitored.
It is very important to choose the right ingredients for the doggy table. There is an opinion that your four-legged friend will not suffer much if part of his dinner is not very fresh, but this is not so. Getting stale elements into your diet will lead to serious poisoning. You can give fresh raw giblets only after they have been examined by veterinarians, otherwise you cannot be sure of their safety for the dog.
Industrial feed
In the composition of industrial dry food, the presence of by-products is often listed first. Before purchasing such a pack, you should know about some of the features of using this ingredient on an industrial scale.
Firstly, it should not come first, since tripe is not as nutritious as meat, which means the food will not have enough calories and will not be able to provide the necessary energy for an active life.
Secondly, dry food contains organs that are unsuitable for human food. That is, this is tripe that has not been frozen for more than a day since the carcasses were cut up. It is no longer suitable for people, but for dogs after appropriate processing, drying and grinding it will be completely healthy and will not cause any harm.
Adequate nutrition is the key to the proper development and health of your pet. To diversify the daily diet of animals, owners often use offal as a supplement to the main food. By-products for dogs are presented in various versions: liver, kidneys, brains, etc. However, such nutrition may not always benefit the pet. Therefore, it is important to understand the issue of the benefits and harms of offal.
Beneficial properties and possible harm
Every owner should know what by-products can be given to a dog. Of the huge variety, only a few have a positive effect on your pet’s health.
Pets will happily consume almost all offal
Benefit
Many people underestimate offal because of its low calorie content. Despite this disadvantage, they contain a large amount of useful substances. Trip is considered a dietary food, so it can be used to feed overweight dogs, as well as during treatment.
The benefits of offal lie in its rich vitamin composition: phosphorus, iodine, iron, potassium, magnesium. They contain folic acid, which is necessary to maintain immunity. The presence of vitamins of different groups is also noted.
Liver, kidneys, tongue, hearts and tripe are the most useful offal
Note! Some owners prefer to give their pet dried food as a reward treat. The liver, ears, snouts, tracheas, veins and scar are dried.
Despite the benefits, offal can be harmful to the dog. Negative consequences include:
- individual intolerance and allergies. The latter may manifest itself as a rash, diarrhea or vomiting;
- Excessive consumption of liver can cause the appearance of stones in the same organ of the pet. To prevent the occurrence of pathologies, liver in the diet should not make up more than 5%;
- You must be careful when handling raw products. Some organs contain embryos of worms, which, when consumed, begin to develop in the pet’s body;
- Often the cause of diarrhea in animals is excessive consumption of hearts. It should be remembered that heavy protein is poorly digestible.
How and what to feed your dog
Despite their undoubted benefits, the share of these products in a dog’s diet should not exceed 15%. It is enough to give your dog offal twice a week. You can feed your dog tripe daily, but in small portions.
Liver
This filter organ neutralizes toxins entering the body, but does not store them. Therefore, liver can be safely given to your pet. This product is a source of vitamins A, group B, folic acid, and iron.
Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant, it improves digestion and has a beneficial effect on the reproductive system. Folic acid and vitamin B12 support the health of the nervous system, improve brain and vascular function. Iron increases endurance, participates in the formation of hemoglobin, brain functioning, metabolism, and saturation of cells with oxygen.
The liver is especially useful for rapidly growing young dogs, as well as for preparing breeding dogs for mating and for feeding lactating bitches.
When exposed to high or low temperatures, the nutrient content decreases, so it is preferable to feed dogs raw liver. However, sometimes worm larvae are found in it. To avoid infection, the liver is either boiled or frozen. This product can be fed to animals in its raw form only after a veterinary check.
The share of liver in the diet should not exceed 5%. Exceeding the dosage leads to digestive disorders.
Lung
This organ contains a significant amount of connective tissue, has low calorie content, small amounts of protein and is poorly digested. The lungs do not bring significant benefits to the dog's body. To avoid vomiting, they are introduced into the diet gradually, boiled and crushed. It is better to combine lungs with other offal.
Heart
This is a source of antioxidant and immunomodulator coenzyme Q10, which is necessary for cell activity and inhibits the aging process. The organ contains selenium, zinc, phosphorus, as well as B vitamins and amino acids, which help build muscle mass, produce and store energy, and increase endurance.
Heart contains twice as much collagen and elastin as regular meat, which is important for joint health. It is similar in structure to muscle meat, but heavier and denser. Dogs are safely fed raw hearts.
Kidneys
This offal is rich in vitamins A, K, B, E, zinc, iron, as well as fatty acids that improve the condition of the coat and skin. Including kidneys in the menu normalizes the functioning of the digestive system. Before feeding, it is better to cut them in half lengthwise, soak them in cold water and give them raw to the dog.
The organ is rich in vitamins, but it has a lot of connective tissue and fat, so portions should be small. The udder is perfectly digestible, including it in the diet helps build muscle and adapt to increased loads. There is less fat in the milk udder. Raw udder with milk is given to puppies after 3 months, after removing excess fat. This product is also useful for nursing and pregnant dogs.
At what age and how often should you feed your dog offal?
Starting from 3 months of age, the puppy can already eat chicken necks. To soften the bones, it is recommended to pound them with a hammer before serving. Until your baby has learned to chew solid food well, you need to keep an eye on him. Other types of offal are added from 5 months.
Note! Increased consumption of offal can lead to digestive problems.
If a puppy or adult dog develops negative symptoms, it is necessary to stop the supply of giblets. Despite the indicated benefits, the amount of by-products should be a maximum of 15%.
Giblets are added to the diet 2-3 times a week
You can give your pet daily, but in this case the amount of tripe should be minimal.
It is especially useful to give offal in winter, when the animal’s immunity weakens. Proper nutrition helps prevent inflammatory infections and colds.
Poultry by-products
The liver, heart, stomachs, necks of birds, as well as their bones, heads, paws are inexpensive, healthy and nutritious food. These products rarely cause allergies. They are especially valuable for their high content of collagen (in necks and wings) and protein (in heads and paws).
Although poultry by-products are not as healthy as beef by-products, they are an excellent and healthy addition to your dog's diet. Giblets of chickens, turkeys, and ducks are gradually introduced into the diet of puppies, adding little by little to the main menu and observing the reaction of the digestive tract.
Chicken heads
This is a source of calcium and a real treat for those who like to chew. In order not to injure the esophagus and stomach, the bird’s beak is removed and the head itself is broken. Dogs are fed boiled heads.
Liver, heart, stomach
Chicken or duck liver is a source of vitamins A and B12, the stomach and heart are rich in protein, zinc, iron, collagen and elastin. These giblets are given to dogs no more than 2-3 times a week, because with an excess of vitamin A, muscle mass decreases and bones become deformed.
Bones, paws, necks
Poultry bones contain calcium, phosphorus, collagen and elastin, so it is sometimes worth letting your pet sharpen his teeth on them. Tubular bones should not be given to dogs. Animals swallow them whole; the stomach cannot digest such bones. As a result, the gastrointestinal tract is injured.
Raw spongy chicken bones are a source of calcium and phosphorus. A good option would be minced bone, which is given to pets along with porridge, pasta or soup. This minced meat contains bone tissue, cartilage, fat, and bone marrow.
Bird paws make a delicious, nutritious jellied meat, especially useful for puppies. After three to four hours of cooking, the broth is cooled, the bones are separated, soft tissue is removed from the paws, and the claws are removed. Jellied meat is given to dogs either separately or added to porridge.
Chicken and duck necks do not have hard tubular bones. All dogs can easily chew and digest them. Therefore, necks are given even to puppies starting from two months. Before giving to your pet, the necks are boiled or doused with boiling water.
Chicken, duck or turkey skin is a source of bad cholesterol, so it has no place in a dog’s diet.
What by-products can you give your dog?
The list of permitted by-products for dogs will help owners learn to navigate the products. Each type has its own characteristics, benefits and harms.
Heads and cartilaginous by-products
Cartilage by-products include:
The throat, heads and other parts contain large amounts of collagen and elastin. After purchasing, they should be frozen for 3 days, and before giving to the dog, pour boiling water over them.
For your information! There is a lot of calcium in the heads. Before serving, it is advisable to boil them and separate them from bones and skin.
Beef cartilage by-products
These products are very beneficial for dogs and are also inexpensive. Contain up to 95% protein, as well as elastin and collagen. Kaltyk and trachea are compared in terms of nutritional value, but the first product contains less fat and more meat. Cartilage can be given separately or in combination with other products. This food is good for developing the jaw muscles of babies and adult dogs.
Ears, legs, tails
This set doesn't have a lot of protein, but it does contain plenty of calcium and phosphorus. These by-products are great for training dog jaws. Feet are rich in collagen and elastin. Strengthens the dog's tendons, muscles and joints. The skin contains a large amount of amino acids and trace elements. The ear and other parts can be given raw or cooked.
Ears, legs and tails should be cooked for at least 3-4 hours. As a result of cooking, a broth is formed, which, after cooling, turns into jellied meat.
Tripe, abomasum
These two elements are the most valuable parts of the stomach. Rumen and rennet contain enzymes, protein, and amino acids. The beneficial microflora of foods helps improve digestion in your pet. Enzymes cleanse the blood, neutralize toxins and strengthen the immune system. The only drawback of the stomach is the unpleasant smell. Before giving to the dog, the rennet and tripe must be cleaned and rinsed in water.
Important! It is recommended to feed the product raw, as beneficial enzymes are destroyed after heat treatment.
Labradors prefer tripe in its raw form.
Liver, heart, stomach
Heart is a natural source of antioxidants and coenzyme. Normalizes the life cycle of cells and prevents early aging of the body. The organ also contains selenium, zinc, phosphorus and B vitamins. Helps build muscles, fills with energy and improves endurance. Owners of guard breeds should pay special attention to this product: German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Bullmastiff.
The heart contains more collagen and elastin compared to regular meat. These elements have a positive effect on the health of bones and joints.
Note! Dogs can be fed raw hearts without fear.
The stomach is an essential element of nutrition for animals with digestive problems. Thanks to unique bacteria, the product is able to stabilize and improve intestinal function. The stomach can be added to the diet from the age of 5 months.
Cow and bovine offal will fill the body with vitamins A
Important! In large quantities, this meat product is harmful and can provoke the formation of stones.
Liver is considered a dietary product, so it is suitable for preparing light diets for overweight dogs. However, low calorie content also has a negative character. Such a product will not be able to provide adequate energy for the dog’s active life.
Kidneys
The kidney product improves the condition of the coat and skin. Suitable for dogs with digestive problems. Beef kidneys for dogs are one of the few foods that can be fed raw. It is enough to cut the organ into two halves, soak it in water and give it to the animal.
Brain
Beef marrow contains choline and lipids. Very often, owners include this product in their pet’s diet when preparing mating, as well as in case of lipid metabolism disorders. Brains are not very rich in useful microelements, but they have a high calorie content, allowing you to feed your pet heartily.
For your information! It is best to cook boiled brains in combination with rice or buckwheat.
Ears, nose, lips and tails
These foods do not contain large amounts of protein, but are rich in calcium and phosphorus. The dog will happily gnaw on offal. Ears and tails train the pet’s jaws well, so they are added to the puppy’s diet from childhood.
This is why I include organ meats in my dog's diet.
I propose to talk today about what foods can be given to a dog and, in general, whether they should be present in the diet of our pets. Still, the main component in the diet of dogs is muscle meat.
But besides this product, any toothy “wolf cub” will happily eat such parts of prey as heart, lung, tripe, and so on.
What role do offal (offal, tripe) play in feeding? Are they good for dogs, and how often should you offer them to your pet?
Benefits of offal
There are several types of offal that dog breeders feed their pets. These are beef, lamb, pork, poultry and rabbit offal. If the dog owner goes hunting from time to time, we can say that the dog is very lucky. He can enjoy such delicious and healthy meat as venison, elk...
Many people underestimate the valuable qualities of offal, because their calorie content is much lower than that of meat. But, despite this “disadvantage”, they contain much more useful microelements. In addition, tripe is considered a dietary product due to its low content of heavy fats and carbohydrates.
Offal is rich in phosphorus, iodine, iron, potassium and magnesium. They are rich in folic acid, which is vital for the formation and development of the immune and circulatory systems.
By-products contain a huge amount of B vitamins, essential vitamins A and D, the benefits of which I spoke in detail when describing natural supplements for dogs.
The liver is especially rich in vitamins A and B. But there is a lot of vitamin D in beef liver, as well as in the rumen, kidneys, tongue and heart. This is especially necessary for animals living in northern regions. An insufficient number of sunny days leads to a deficiency of this particular vitamin.
By the way, Russia is located in a zone of reduced solar activity, which means that both people and animals are at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
A lack of this vitamin can lead to diseases of the cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, muscular dystrophy, rickets, skin and infectious diseases, and malignant tumors.
Trip contains beneficial fatty acids such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, which have a positive effect on the immune system, inflammatory and allergic reactions, regulate blood pressure, body temperature and much more.
Well, and perhaps not the most important, but nevertheless a pleasant point: lungs, liver, tripe and all other offal are an order of magnitude cheaper than meat.
At what age and how often should you feed your dog offal?
You can offer your puppy chicken necks starting from three months. But, it is advisable to beat them first with a meat hammer so that the bones are softer. And until the puppy learns to chew and not swallow the necks whole, be sure to feed them under supervision.
Other types of tripe can be given to four-legged animals from 5-6 months, starting with small pieces.
An excess of offal can lead to digestive disorders. Therefore, if you use giblets as a treat during training, you should reduce their content during normal feeding.
If you observe intolerance or disorders when your dog eats any of the by-products, you should eliminate it for a while and then gradually add it to the diet in small portions.
Despite the apparent benefits, the volume of offal should not exceed 15% of the pet’s total meat diet. It is recommended to feed offal to dogs no more than 2-3 times a week. Or add it to each main meat feeding, but in small quantities.
It is especially useful to feed your pet tripe in the winter, since the vitamin D present in offal protects the dog’s body from inflammatory, infectious and colds.
Recommended by-products
Now let's take a closer look at what by-products can be given to a dog, and what benefits they bring to the animal's body. I will not describe in detail all the beneficial properties of tripe. Quite a lot has been written about this. I would just like to note that almost all offal is saturated with valuable microelements, the content of which in muscle meat is an order of magnitude lower.
Heart
In its structure, the heart is most similar to muscle meat. However, it is much denser and heavier than the first, and it contains twice as much collagen, elastin and protein.
The heart is given both boiled and raw. You can include beef, pork, lamb or chicken hearts in your pet's diet (if you are not allergic to chicken products).
Scar
The rumen is the most valuable part of the herbivore's stomach, rich in protein, enzymes and beneficial bacteria that help digest plant foods. Enzymes neutralize and remove toxins from the blood, strengthen the immune system and generally support the functioning of the barbosik’s gastrointestinal tract.
But, despite the specific smell, to put it mildly, it is the unpeeled raw tripe that is most valued.
Although some four-legged owners find the smell of tripe disgusting, almost all dogs simply fall into ecstasy from this offal and adore dishes made from tripe.
Kidneys
The kidneys contain vitamin D and a huge amount of fatty acids, which have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and coat of the four-legged animal.
Kidneys can be fed either raw or boiled. But, before giving the dog raw offal, it is recommended to soak the kidneys in cool water for about 30 minutes.
Liver
The liver acts as a kind of filter through which toxins enter the body.
The amount of liver should not exceed more than 5% of the pet’s total meat diet. But these numbers have nothing to do with the filtering function. All passing toxins do not settle in the liver, but are successfully neutralized.
The percentage of recommended dosage is due to the fact that the liver contains a huge amount of fat-soluble vitamin A, which can trigger the formation of stones. In addition, an excess of the product can lead to digestive upset.
Liver is rich in iron, folic acid, vitamins A, B and D:
- Iron improves blood composition, maintains hemoglobin and sugar levels.
- Vitamin A has a positive effect on reproductive functions.
- Folic acid, vitamins B and D strengthen the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Liver is most beneficial for growing puppies and lactating bitches. It can be given to dogs either boiled or raw. Raw liver contains much more nutrients.
However, if your pet is on a raw food diet, in order to avoid infection with helminth larvae, which are sometimes found in the liver, it is better to buy the product from a trusted manufacturer and freeze it for at least three days before feeding it.
Spleen
The structure of the spleen is something between muscle meat and liver. Like the liver, the spleen is rich in protein, iron and amino acids.
But, just as in the case of liver, it is advisable to feed your pet with it in limited quantities and in boiled form. Excessive amounts of this by-product can lead to loose, black stools.
Lung
Lung is a rather controversial by-product. There are not as many benefits in it as from any other tripe. There is little useful protein in the lung. But there are plenty of connective fibers in it, as a result of which the product is poorly absorbed.
You cannot feed your dog this by-product alone. This can lead to permanent gastrointestinal disorders.
But this type of offal should not be completely excluded. The lung is rich in microelements that improve the functioning of the brain, heart and blood vessels. In addition, light is a low-calorie dietary product.
It is better to introduce lung into a dog’s diet in boiled form and in combination with other meat ingredients. But a natural treat for dogs, made from light, will greatly please your pet and is perfect as a reward during training.
Udder
Just like the lung, the beef udder contains a lot of connective fibers. The udder is quite fat. Therefore, to avoid loose stools, the amount of product in the diet must be controlled.
The udder is rich in vitamins that help increase endurance and intensively build muscle mass. The milk udder is especially useful. It has less fat.
It is recommended to give udder to pregnant dogs and puppies from the age of three months, in strictly limited quantities, after removing excess fat. The udder is well digestible and helps to gain weight too quickly, which can be dangerous for a growing body.
Bovine testes
Testes are considered a canine delicacy. Bovine and lamb testes are useful for puppies, as they contain magnesium, iodine, potassium, calcium and other valuable mineral components. Testes are an excellent source of hormones and easily digestible protein, and are recommended for feeding to male dogs before mating.
If mating is not planned, this by-product should be given to male dogs with caution. Too much can cause overstimulation.
Beef brains
Like most organ meats, brains are extremely beneficial for dogs. However, they should be consumed no more than once a week.
Despite its low calorie content, brains are not a dietary product. They are rich in heavy fats and cholesterol, which are poorly absorbed by the tailed body, but allow you to feed the four-legged heartily. Beef brains are included in the diet of weakened animals during the recovery period after illness or surgery.
Beef tongue
The composition of beef tongue is similar to the spleen. This is a good, but quite expensive offal for dogs. But, you can easily pamper your beloved pet with this delicious meat. The tongue can be given either boiled or raw.
Beef cheeks
Beef cheeks belong to the first category by-products. Cheeks are recommended for consumption due to their high content of iron, magnesium, manganese and copper, which are not found in all offal. Complete proteins and the absence of connective tissue make the cheeks easily digestible.
In terms of nutritional value, beef cheeks are not inferior to meat. They can be fed to dogs either raw or boiled as a main dish.
Beef trimmings
Beef trimmings are much cheaper, but can be used for feeding four-legged animals along with muscle meat. Meat trimmings contain tendons, cartilage and veins. Due to this, the trimmings are considered healthier than the finest cuts of meat.
Veins and cartilage are an excellent natural source of gelatin, useful for strengthening bones and joints. Good meat trimmings contain about 10% cartilage tissue and 90% pure meat.
Ears, nose, lips and tails
Ears, lips and tails are not suitable for inclusion in a nutritious diet. They have little protein, but they have plenty of calcium, phosphorus, elastin and collagen.
These by-products are perfect as a treat. They can be given boiled, raw or dried in the oven. Such treats perfectly clean plaque and train the jaw apparatus, and will also keep your pet occupied while you are away.
Beef cartilage by-products
Cartilaginous by-products include such offal as: caltyk, trachea, epiglottic cartilage and diaphragm.
Beef kaltyk and trachea are especially popular among both dog breeders and their four-legged friends. They are similar to each other in their nutritional value. But kaltyk has more meat.
Cartilage is rich in calcium, elastin and collagen, which are so beneficial for the bones and joints of the four-legged animal. Nutrients strengthen the walls of blood vessels and capillaries and participate in the regulation of water-salt metabolism.
Cartilaginous by-products are suitable both for raw feeding and for preparing treats and treats for dogs. But they should be given in limited quantities for the reason that the mucus contained inside the cartilage in excess can cause digestive upset.
Poultry by-products
In the absence of allergies and individual intolerances, bird by-products will be an excellent addition to the four-legged diet. Read more about the benefits of poultry by-products.
Possible consequences
So, we have already understood that offal is very useful for the four-legged body. But, despite the apparent benefits, they can also be harmful to health.
Here are some negative reactions that may occur due to excessive consumption of organ meats:
- Individual intolerance.
- Allergic reactions.
- Diarrhea.
- Nausea.
- Rash and redness on the skin. Most often in the area of the paws and ears, in the armpits and near the anus.
- Ear infections due to allergies.
By-products are very beneficial for dogs. They contain a huge amount of valuable vitamins and microelements that are not found in other types of meat. Therefore, it is possible, and even necessary, to include offal in the diet.
But, in order to avoid negative consequences, this should be done with caution and in small quantities.
If your pet is allergic to any of the by-products, it should be immediately excluded, since food allergies cannot be treated.
The material uses photos by Elena Ten “Menu of two watchdogs”.
Good luck and take care of your pets!
Source: https://drtclub.ru/kakie-subprodukty-mozhno-davat-sobake/
Can I give my dog raw beef lung?
Lungs are popular among offal products due to the fact that they contain a vitamin complex that is beneficial for the respiratory system of dogs. These substances are especially important for animals leading an active lifestyle. The lungs contain a lot of protein, which has a positive effect on the growth and functioning of the body. Some dog breeders use this product as a reward during training.
Note! A dog's diet should include lungs no more than 2 times a week. It is recommended to mix the offal with rice porridge.
Lungs are waste products and rarely undergo additional testing before sale. Therefore, it is not recommended to give the product raw. The meat may contain larvae of various parasites. Before giving the lungs to your pet, they should be thoroughly boiled.
In addition to parasites, the danger is posed by connective tissue, which in its raw form is poorly digested and causes diarrhea and vomiting.
Can a dog have beef lung and how to cook it correctly?
Beef lung, along with liver, udder, heart and tongue, is an offal and belongs to the budget goods of the consumer basket. By nutritional value, by-products are divided into two categories. Beef lung belongs to the second category, since its nutritional value is minimal. Calorie content is 92 kcal.
This meat has no carbohydrates, virtually no fat, but a lot of protein - about 70%. Due to its low nutritional value, people prefer to buy beef lung for dogs rather than for themselves. However, nutritionists recommend eating it for everyone who adheres to the principles of proper nutrition.
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Benefits and harms
The benefits of beef lung are the same as those of any other meat, be it pig or lamb - it is a source of protein. The product also contains many useful substances:
- B vitamins;
- ascorbic acid;
- iron;
- potassium;
- phosphorus;
- iodine;
- calcium;
- sodium;
- magnesium;
- sulfur.
By-products are useful for nutrition of various human organs. If you eat beef or pork lung during bronchitis, the body will receive vitamins in the form necessary for the respiratory system.
Dogs need this by-product to maintain their own lungs, since pets are active and run a lot.
The main disadvantage of the product is that it lacks nutritional value. There is also potential harm. The lung does not undergo a detailed veterinary examination. Therefore, pockets of pathological infections may remain inside.
This offal contains a lot of connective tissue, which can cause vomiting or diarrhea in the animal. Plus, the lungs are elastic, so your pet can choke.
The porous structure holds beef lung in the animal's stomach, making it difficult to break down. The dog receives a meager amount of nutrients, its body requires more food. Due to the increase in food volumes, the stomach suffers greatly.
In a dog's diet
This by-product is not suitable as the basis of a diet for dogs. Beef lung can be added to the dog menu. To do this, it must be mixed with porridge. Most often they choose buckwheat, millet or rice. Along with this, you can give eggs, cottage cheese, and meat. Decorative breeds are fed a mixture with beef lung no more than twice a week.
Dog breeders love to use this offal as a treat during training. In this case, low nutritional value is just beneficial - when executing commands, the pet needs to receive food that will be easily digestible. Dry food can cause an excited dog to choke, while soft and porous offal is safe as a reward.
For puppies
Puppies can start feeding offal products from three months. The meat must be boiled, otherwise problems with worms cannot be avoided, even if you give anthelmintic drugs.
Beef lung for a puppy should be minced and mixed with some porridge.
Breeds that are prohibited
With great caution, beef lung is given to breeds prone to allergic reactions. These include:
- French and English bulldogs;
- East European Shepherds;
- Dalmatians;
- Shar-Pei;
- American Staffordshire Terriers.
How to cook
Beef lung should not be given to your dog raw. It must either be boiled or dried. In the first case, you can add other beef by-products, and then you get a meat mix. To do this, take:
- heart;
- liver;
- trachea;
- lung;
- scar.
Do not add kidneys here under any circumstances.
To prepare a delicious meat mix for your pet, you need to cut the meat into small pieces, add water and put it on fire. Boil the dog's lung for half an hour. After cooking, the offal is mixed with porridge and given to the pet.
To prepare dried lung, first boil it until half cooked, about 15 minutes. Then the product is dried in the microwave in several passes. The first time - under the lid, subsequent times - without. You can also use the oven. For convenience, cut the lung not into pieces, but into strips and place them on the wire rack.
Do not close the oven completely - it must be left slightly open. Cooking time is one and a half to two hours.
Store-bought dried
Dried dog treats from the store are very popular and well-deserved, since owners do not have to waste time on cooking.
When choosing purchased offal, dog breeders recommend first of all paying attention to the composition. The only thing that should be listed there is “dried pieces of beef lung.” There should be no additives or additional ingredients in the composition.
According to reviews from owners, dried lung for dogs is ideal as a reward during training, as it does not stain your hands and is easily digested.
Prices range from 100 rubles for a 10 g bag to 600 rubles for a 3 liter container. Now in pet stores you can find natural products from the following companies:
- Titbit;
- GreenQZin;
- "Farm delicacies";
- "Country delicacies";
- "Zoogourmand"
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Cooking at home
Before giving the product to your pet, you need to learn about the rules for preparing it. Some offal can be served raw, while others must be boiled.
How long to cook beef udder for dogs
The duration of cooking the udder is about 40-50 minutes. During this time, it is boiled well, and the necessary substances do not disappear from it. Beef udder is very useful for dogs. This product is rich in proteins, minerals, vitamins E and B, as well as collagen.
How long to cook beef liver for a dog
First, the liver is cleared of veins and fat, washed and placed in a vessel with cold water. After 30 min. You can put the pan on the fire. It is enough to boil for 25-30 minutes. Vegetables or cereals are often added to the liver.
How to cook chicken hearts for a dog
The hearts are cooked for about 50-60 minutes. in salted water over medium heat. The readiness of the product can be easily determined using a sharp stick. You need to pierce the heart and see: if red liquid flows out, then you need to cook more. Beef heart is given to the dog several times a week.
How long to cook beef spleen for a dog
Before answering the question about preparing the product, you need to find out whether spleen can be given to dogs. The spleen is rich in protein, iron and amino acids. You can give it to your pet, but not often. To eliminate the risk of infection by parasites, it is necessary to boil it for 1-1.5 hours.
How long to cook beef kidneys for a dog
Before using the kidney, it is necessary to wait 20 minutes. soak in water. Then they are simply cut into small pieces and given to the dog.
Note! They are often served raw, but if the owner is in doubt, the kidneys can be boiled for 20-30 minutes. in salted water.
How to give?
The volume of offal in a dog's menu should not be more than 12-15% of the total amount of food. They contain many useful elements, but cannot be considered complete nutrition. Usually they supplement vegetables no more than 2 times a week, and porridge is cooked in broth. It is recommended to alternate meat, fish and offal.
Which ones are possible every day?
Not a single type is suitable for daily use. But, for example, cartilaginous products: trachea, kaltyk, etc., are very useful for dogs, and they can be given quite often. They not only contain a large amount of protein, but also help strengthen bone tissue, teeth, and jaw muscles.
Industrial feed with additives
Industrial feeds do not always contain good quality by-products. When purchasing ready-made food, you will not be able to control the freshness of the ingredients, so you must approach the choice of brand responsibly.
Often, the internal organs of animals are used in the production of prepared feed. In order to save money, producers can purchase carcasses of sick animals that died in poor conditions or in a zoo. In such cases, the quality of the by-products suffers significantly. Economy feed uses meat and bone meal, which is obtained from the skin, bones, intestines and head.
Important! Experts recommend purchasing premium and super-premium ready-made dog food. This will reduce the risk of eating poor quality food and further health problems.
Possible consequences
Despite the fact that each by-product has its own benefits, it can also cause harm to the dog. To avoid negative consequences, you need to feed your pet with caution. The amount of by-product should be minimal. If allergies, diarrhea or rash are observed, it is necessary to exclude the product from the diet.
By maintaining proper nutrition, offal will help saturate your pet’s body with essential vitamins and microelements. The main thing is to give them in moderation.
Animal proteins occupy the main place in a dog's diet. In addition to meat, pets happily eat offal: tripe, kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, udder. Despite their unsightly appearance and specific smell, these products are very beneficial for animals.
How to cook healthy
Beef heart does not appear on the everyday menu very often, despite the fact that a huge number of dishes can be prepared with it. Before moving on to the cooking process, you need to cut off the fat layer and carefully remove large vessels and blood clots, if any - in some cases, the heart goes on sale already in a processed form. After cutting, it must be washed thoroughly.
The next stage of preparing the heart is soaking. You can simply leave it to soak in cold, lightly salted water for 2-3 hours, or cook it for 1.5-2 hours, changing the water every half hour. If the heart came from an older animal, the process may take much longer.
Raw beef heart can be immediately fried or stewed and makes excellent chops, gravy or goulash. To make the dish less caloric, bake it in the oven. Mushrooms or salad onion rings best highlight and enhance the taste of the heart.
Boiled beef heart has the same bright taste and retains its beneficial qualities much better. You can use it to prepare salads, pates, make pie filling, or serve in its pure form, after cutting it. It is most beneficial to use vegetables as a side dish: vegetable carbohydrates will balance the proteins contained in the heart and create a combination that is optimal for absorption by the digestive system.
Beneficial features
Giblets contain more nutrients than regular meat. Firstly, offal is a source of animal protein, which is a building material for any organism.
Secondly, they are rich in microelements: phosphorus, iron, copper, magnesium, iodine, potassium, zinc, selenium.
Thirdly, these products contain a large amount of B vitamins, folic acid, vitamins A, K, E. In terms of vitamin D content, by-products have no equal among other feeds. This vitamin is one of the most important for living beings. Its deficiency leads to muscular dystrophy, fractures, malignancy
Benefits of beef heart
The product has the most valuable qualities for human health. Due to its healing properties and content of useful substances, it can rightly be called a delicacy.
- The protein found in beef heart plays a major role in the growing body of a child. As you know, it is the best supplier of amino acids, which are so necessary for the full development of the baby, the normal formation of muscle tissue, and the formation of all vital systems. Tryptophan, methionine and other amino acids contained in beef heart are not produced by the human body, but can only come from food of animal origin. Provided that digestion is normal, puree containing heart can be introduced into the baby’s diet no earlier than 8 months, since it is absorbed by the baby less well than meat.
- Due to its low calorie content, this product is excellent as a component in the diet of overweight people.
- The role of beef heart is great for normalizing the cardiovascular system, because it contains magnesium, which is indispensable in the mechanism of heart contractions.
- Helps in the treatment of low hemoglobin and anemia. These diseases are characterized by iron deficiency. Hemoglobin, containing a reduced amount of iron, begins to poorly supply oxygen to human tissues. The amount of iron in beef heart is 1.5 times greater than in the beef itself, so eating it for this problem is very effective.
- Regulates mineral balance in the body. Chromium, folic acid, potassium, sodium, sulfur, manganese, phosphorus and many other macro- and microelements provide important processes in human life.
- The zinc contained in this by-product increases sperm motility, thereby improving male sexual function.
- Dishes with beef liver help strengthen the nervous system and normalize blood pressure.
- The heart contains vitamins C, PP, E, A, H. In terms of the amount of B vitamins, it is superior to beef meat. Thanks to this, proteins are easily digested, which ensures the binding of useful substances, as well as their transportation to all tissues of the body.
- As a strengthening agent, this product is useful to include in the diet of people who have recently suffered severe infectious diseases (as well as at the time of their exacerbation), burns, injuries and surgical interventions. Eating heart helps restore blood faster.
- Thanks to its many beneficial properties, beef heart can and should be included in the menu of older people, since eating this product is an excellent prevention of sclerosis and osteoporosis. Beef heart increases the endurance of those who experience prolonged physical and mental stress (students, athletes, etc.).
